Indian Journal of

Indian J. Anim. Nutr. 2008. 25. 19-24

Animal Nutrition

Nutrient Composition and Phenolic Constituents in some Feed and

Fodder Samples from Temperate Regions of Kumaon Himalaya
V.K. Paswan, R.K. Mahapatra, H.R. Meena and A. Sahoo1
Division of Temperate Animal Husbandry, Indian Veterinary Research Institute,
Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand
(Received on 12th Dec., 2007)
ABSTARCT : A total of 57 samples comprising of 15 different types of feeds/fodder, viz.
mixed grass hay, barley grass (Hordeum vulgare), oat grass (Avena sativa), bimalsiya grass
(Pennisetum orientale), kumeria grass (Heteropogon contortus), kikiyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum),
mature and immature oak leaves (OL) two types: banj, (Quercus leucotricophora), Kharsun Q.
semicarpifolia), quiral leaves (Bahuinia retusa), poplar (Populus ciliata) leaves, maize flour (Zea
mays), pelleted feed and concentrate mixture were collected from the farmers during the field
survey at temperate regions (>1700-2100 m msl) of Kumaon Himalaya. The feed samples
were analysed for different nutrient composition and phenolic constituents. The CP content in
mixed grass hay ranged from 4.6 to 8.6% and had 81.5% NDF, 55.6% ADF and 10.9% ADL.
The bimalsia grass had highest CP (20.9%) followed by kikiyu (10.9%) and kumeria (6.1%)
and was also rich in HC (44.8%) and had least ADL (2.8%). The barley and oat grass had CP
5.8 and 16.5 %, respectively. Total Ash was 8.1% in kumeria and 7.6% in mixed grass hay, but
had high >50% AIA. The oat had higher P content (0.58%) compared to other grasses and
the Ca:P ratio was very narrow (<1.5:1). Ca% was highest in barley grass (0.89) followed
by bimalsia (0.71), oat and kumeria (0.62-0.68) and was low in mixed grass hay (0.57) and
kikiyu (0.51). The tree leaves were rich in OM (93.0-96.3% vs 88.3-92.4%). The CP content
was nearly double in immature oak leaves (19.7-20.7%) than the mature one (9.4-10.1%). In
other tree species, the CP content was high in poplar (14.6%) and low in quiral (5.8%). The
ADL content was 21.6% in mature Banj leaves and 6.7% in poplar. Quiral leaves had a nearly
balanced concentration of Ca (1.93%) and P (0.69%) and the other tree leaves had a very wide
ratio (nearly 10:1). The immature oak leaves had nearly equal Ca and P concentration (0.37-
0.49%). The concentration (%) of poly-phenolic components, viz. total phenolics (TP), total
tannin phenolics, condensed tannins (CT), hydrolysable tannins (HT) and non-tannin phenolics
revealed that the TP was 7.06 to 9.81 in different leaves and was highest in immature Kharsun
(Q. semicarpifolia) (9.61 to 10.01). The immature oak leaves also had higher HT content (5.35
in Q. leucotricophora and 7.24 in Q. semicarpifolia). CT was highest in mature Banj leaves (3.11)
followed by Quiral (2.93), poplar (1.97) and Kharsun (1.65) and was very low in immature oak
leaves (0.68-0.88). The CP content was 9.2, 22.7 and 19.7 % in the maize flour, pelleted feed
and concentrate mixture, respectively. The pelleted feed ADL content (6.6%) was higher than
other two concentrate feeds. The Ca and P content in the concentrate mixture and pelleted
feed was nearly at optimal ratio (2:1).
Key words: Nutrients, Phenolics, Feeds and fodder, Kumaon

Dr A. Sahoo PS & Head / oc, TAH Division, IVRI,
1
Mukteshwar Campus ,Uttarakhand - 263138
E-mail : sahooarta@yahoo.com
INTRODUCTION
Livestock development is one of the top
priorities in the development agenda of Uttarakhand
and dairying has been considered as one of the
important dimensions. But, animal productivity is

19
 Paswan et al

quite low mainly due to nutritional inadequacy as one was recorded. The samples were then ground to
of the principal cause, i.e. scarcity of forages (Singh pass through 2 mm screen and preserved in airtight
et al., 2001) farm availability and procurement of plastic containers until analyzed.
cereal crop residues are also limited. There is scanty
The ground samples of feed and fodder were
agriculture land and a short cultivation season for
analyzed for different proximate constituents,
growing cereal grains and utilizing the crop residues
viz. DM, crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE),
for animal feeding, and the cost of transportation
ash, acid-insoluble ash (AIA) and major minerals,
from lower altitudes/plains exorbitantly increases its
viz. calcium (Ca) and phosphorous (P) as per the
procurement cost. Thus, tree forages and local grass
methods described in AOAC (1984). The organic
from village upland and forest form an integral part
matter (OM) and total carbohydrates (TCHO) of
of ruminant feeds for most part of the year in high
the samples were calculated by difference. The fiber
altitudes of Uttarakhand (Meena et al., 2007). The
constituents, viz. neutral detergent fibre (NDF),
oak tree leaves as fodder, nevertheless, contributed
acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid detergent
to livestock feed as much as 19 % in the village at
lignin (ADL) were analysed by following the
high altitude, where the oak forests are in the vicinity
methods described by Van Soest et al. (1991) and
of these villages (Singh et al., 2001). Feed shortage
the content of hemicellulose (HC) and cellulose (C)
has been a serious problem for livestock farmers
were calculated by difference. The samples of tree
throughout the Himalaya Hills. In Uttaranchal the
leaves were further analysed for different phenolic
central Indian Himalayas, the shortage of feed and
constituents, viz. total phenolics (TP), non-tannin
fodder is estimated to be 65 per cent. According
phenolics (NTP) and condensed tannins (CT) as per
to Animal Husbandry Department (AHD, 1998),
the methods of Makkar (2000) and the difference
the overall paucity of green and dry fodder in the
between TP and NTP was calculated as total tannin
Uttaranchal Hills, is 68 and 19 per cent respectively.
phenolics (TTP) and that of TTP and CT was
In this scenario, the feed and fodder resources of the
considered as hydrolysable tannins (HT).
temperate hilly regions needs to be evaluated for
nutrient composition and anti-nutrients, for assessing The data on chemical composition are
their nutrient availability to livestock. tabulated and the mean±SE was calculated for
different feed and fodder samples.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The survey area involved seven randomly
selected villages located in the temperate zones (from The results on different chemical constituents
1700 – 2100m) of Kumaon Himalaya. Different feed are expressed as percentage on DM basis and
and forage samples which were fed to the cattle by presented in tables 1 to 3.
the livestock farmers were collected during the field
The feed samples collected during the in-field
visit for the analysis of their chemical composition.
survey can be grouped into four major groups, viz.
Total 57 samples comprising of 15 different types
mixed grass hay, uncultivated and cultivated grasses,
of feeds/fodder were collected from the farmers that
trees leaves and concentrate supplements. The
were being fed to their animals. The different feed
mixed grass hay had a variable CP content (4.6 to
types were mixed grass hay, barley grass (Hordeum
8.6) and the AIA content was more than 50% of TA.
vulgare), oat grass (Avena sativa), bimalsiya grass
It was rich in NDF (81.5%), ADF (55.6%) and ADL
(Pennisetum orientale), kumeria grass (Heteropogon
(10.9%) as compared to all other grasses. The fodder
contortus), kikiyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum),
grass barley had a very less amount of CP (5.8) and
mature and immature oak leaves (two types: Banj,
was having more DM than oat (18.4 vs 12.4). But,
Quercus leucotricophora; Kharsun, Q. semicarpifolia),
oat was rich in CP (16.5) and the fiber and TCHO
Quiral leaves (Bahuinia retusa), Poplar (Populus
content were less compare to barley. Amongst the
ciliate) leaves, maize flour (Zea mays), pelleted feed
non-cultivated grasses bimalsia had more CP (20.9)
and concentrate mixture purchased from the local
followed by kikiyu (10.9) and kumeria (6.1). The
market.
bimalsia grass was also rich in HC (44.8) and had
The feed samples collected were dried in the less ADL (2.8). TA was less in kumeria (8.1) and was
oven at 60±2 0C until constant weight (for 48h) and comparable to mixed grass hay (7.6), but had also
the moisture/dry matter (DM) content of the sample high AIA (>50%). The Ca and P content was not

20
 Table 1. Chemical composition of feeds and fodder (% on DM basis) from temperate Kumaon region of Himalaya
Feeds DM OM CP EE TCHO NDF ADF ADF HC C
Mixed Grass hay (8) 85.4±1.76 92.4±0.17 5.9±0.46 1.80±0.10 84.9±0.52 81.5±1.23 55.6±0.74 10.9±0.57 25.9±1.26 4.7±0.65
Bimalsiya grass 14.3±0.74 88.3±0.14 20.9±0.14 2.4±0.27 64.9±0.27 75.4±0.18 30.6±0.26 2.8±0.18 44.8±0.18 22.7+ 0.17
(Pennisetum orientale) (3)
Kumeria (Heteropogon 20.1±0.89 91.9±0.11 6.1±0.20 1.5±0.08 84.4±0.24 77.4±0.12 48.8±0.25 7.4±0.23 28.6±0.11 1.4±0.20
contortus) (3)
Kikiyu (Penesetum 17.4±0.43 89.8±0.16 10.9±0.48 1.0±0.12 77.9-0.52 73.1±0.59 37.6±0.17 6.3±0.18 35.5±0.66 31.3±0.11
clandestinum) (3)
Barley (Hordreum vulgare) (3) 18.4±0.67 91.2±0.18 5.8±0.04 1.9±0.05 83.5±0.18 66.2±0.12 41.2±0.33 5.0±0.27 25.0±0.21 36.2±0.60
Oat (grass) 12.4±1.02 91.9±0.11 16.5±0.64 2.7±0.29 72.7±0.82 53.3+0.24 32.3+0.09 2.9±0.17 21.0±0.15 29.4±0.26
(Avena sativa) (3)
Mature oak leaves (Banj) 65.4±1.39 96.3±0.13 10.1±0.63 6.0±0.33 80.2±0.60 63.1±1.70 49.1±2.0 21.6±1.98 13.9±1.33 27.6±0.79
(Q. leucotricophora) (8)
Immature oak leaves (Banj) 35.6±1.81 94.1±0.06 20.7±0.42 2.2±0.55 71.2±0.16 49.4±1.06 30.4±0.46 10.8-0.21 19.0±1.50 19.7±0.48
(Q. leucotricophora) (3)
Mature oak leaves (Kharsun) 57.9±1.49 95.6±0.08 9.4±0.05 6.3±0.14 79.9±0.19 55.4±0.19 41.6±0.31 17.2±0.20 13.9±0.22 24.3±0.16

21
(Q. semicarpifolia) (3)
Immature oak leaves (Kharsun) 32.3±1.56 94.4±0.07 19.7±0.17 1.8±0.50 72.9±0.73 39.7±0.41 23.9±0.33 8.8±0.68 15.8±0.45 15.1±0.65
(Q. semicarpifolia) (3)
Quiral leaves 33.6±0.62 94.2±0.05 5.8±0.07 6.0-0.11 82.4-0.16 39.7-0.15 31.6±0.34 11.7-0.06 8.2±0.39 20.0±0.28
(Bahuinia retusa) (3)
Poplar (Populus ciliata) (5) 59.3±1.67 93.0±0.57 14.6±0.57 6.9±0.29 71.5±1.39 55.7±1.35 27.9±1.14 6.7±0.46 27.8±1.86 21.2±0.59
Nutrients and Phenolic constituents in feeds

Maize flour 89.3±0.34 97.8±0.04 9.2±0.06 2.4±0.12 86.2±0.11 10.7±0.27 6.3±1.07 3.8±0.82 4.4±1.01 3.8±1.17
(Zea mays) (3)
Pelleted Feed (3) 87.4+0.37 89.6+0.12 22.8±0.08 3.00.17 63.8±0.20 27.7±0.45 18.7±0.26 6.6±0.31 8.9±0.19 12.1±0.15
Concentrate mixture (3) 91.3±0.02 92.9±0.07 19.7±0.04 3.8±0.48 69.4±0.45 24.1±0.16 12.3±0.35 3.4±0.33 11.7-0.19 8.9±0.21
ADF, acid detergent fibre; ADL, acid detergent lignin; C, cellulose; CP, crude protein; DM, dry matter; EE, ether extract; HC, hemi-cellulose; NDF, neutral detergent fiber; OM,
organic matter; TCHO, total carbohydrates NA, not applicable
 Paswan et al

Table 2. Mineral composition of feeds and fodder (% on DM basis) at temperate Kumaon

region
Name (no) Ash AIA Ca P
Mixed Grass hay(8) 7.6±0.17 4.76±0.11 0.57±0.02 0.10±0.003
Bimalsiya grass (Pennisetum orientale)(3) 11.7±0.14 2.71±0.05 0.71±0.01 0.29±0.00
Kumeria grass (Heteropogon contortus) (3) 8.1±0.11 4.45±0.02 0.65±0.02 0.12±0.00
Kikiyu grass (Penesetum clandestinum) (3) 10.2±0.16 1.93±0.04 0.51±0.01 0.22±0.00
Barley grass(Hordreum vulgare) (3) 8.8±0.18 3.05±0.02 0.89±0.01 0.27±0.00
Oat (green) (Avena sativa) (3) 8.1±0.11 1.25±0.03 0.66±0.01 0.58±0.00
Mature oak leaves (Banj) (Q. leucotricophora) (8) 3.7±0.13 0.31±0.02 1.10±0.04 0.07±0.002
Immature oak leaves (Banj)( Q. leucotricophora) (3) 5.9±0.06 2.69±0.03 0.37±0.01 0.42±0.00
Mature oak leaves (Kharsun) (Q. semicarpifolia) (3) 4.4±0.08 0.07±0.02 1.01±0.00 0.12-0.00
Immature oak leaves(Kharsun) (Q. semicarpifolia) (3) 8.6±0.07 2.54±0.03 0.49±0.01 0.37±0.00
Quiral leaves (Bahuinia retusa) 5.8±0.06 0.11±0.00 1.93±0.01 0.69±0.00
Poplar (Populus ciliata) (5) 7.0±0.45 1.32±0.0.15 1.53±0.15 0.17±0.05
Maize flour (Zea mays) (3) 2.2±0.04 0.02±0.00 0.24±0.02 0.38±0.00
Pelleted Feed(3) 10.4-0.12 2.28±0.01 0.54±0.01 0.28±0.00
Concentrate mixture (3) 7.1±0.07 3.98±0.01 1.05±0.01 0.49±0.00
TA, total ash; AIA, acid insoluble ash; Ca, calcium; P, phosphorous NA, not applicable

balanced (2:1 ratio) in any of the grass types, but was
having a higher P content (0.58) in oat compared to
other grasses and the ratio is very narrow (<1.5:1).
The mixed grass hay and kumeria had a very low P
content (0.09-0.13). The barley grass had higher Ca
(0.89) followed by bimalsia (0.71), oat and kumeria
(0.62-0.68) and was still lower in mixed grass hay
(0.57) and kikiyu grass (0.51). The conventional feed
ingredients are extensively analysed and tabulated
in various feeding standards and data on Indian
feeds and fodders are tabulated in ICAR Bulletins
(Sen et al., 1978; Ranjhan, 1991). The percentage
composition of proximate, fiber and mineral
constituents of mixed grass hay, oat and barley grass,
maize flour observed in the present study fall well
within the range described in these documents.
The tree leaves (oak, quiral and poplar)
had more OM content than grasses (93.0-96.3
vs 88.3-92.4). The CP content was nearly double
in immature oak leaves (19.7-20.7). In other tree
leaves, the CP content was high in poplar (14.6)
and low in quiral (5.8). The EE content was also
higher in tree leaves (6.0-6.9) than grasses (1.0-
2.7) and it was also higher in mature leaves than
immature oak leaves (1.8-2.2). Between the two
types of oak leaves banj contained higher ADF and
ADL than kharsun both in mature and immature
leaves collected from the field. The ADL content
was as high as 21.6% in mature banj leaves and it
was low in poplar (6.7). The TA and AIA content
were higher in both immature oak leaves and the
mature leaves had a very low AIA content amongst
all the fodders collected from the field (0.07-0.31).
The Ca concentration was approximately ten times
higher than P except in quiral leaves which had a
nearly balanced concentration of Ca (1.93) and P
(0.69). The immature oak leaves had nearly equal Ca
and P concentration (0.37-0.49). The poly-phenolic
components, viz. TP, TTP, CT, HT and NTP in tree
leaves are given in table 3. The TP contents were
6.64 to 9.81% in different leaves showing the highest

22
 Nutrients and Phenolic constituents in feeds

Table 3. Poly-phenolic components of tree leaves (% on DM basis) at temperate Kumaon

region
Feeds No. TP TTP CT HT NTP
Common name Botanical name
Mature oak Q. leucotricophora 8 7.06±0.19 6.42±0.20 3.11±0.11 3.31-0.15 0.64±0.03
leaves(Banj)
Immature oak Q. leucotricophora 3 6.74±0.58 6.03±0.63 0.68±0.09 5.35±0.54 0.71±0.06
leaves (Banj)
Mature oak Q. semicarpifolia 3 8.40±0.23 7.72±0.29 1.65±0.11 6.06±0.40 0.68±0.06
leaves (Kharsun)
Immature oak Q. semicarpifolia 3 9.81±0.11 8.12±0.22 0.88±0.11 7.24±0.11 1.69±0.11
leaves Kharsun)
Quiral leaves Bahuinia retusa 3 7.12±0.11 6.69±0.09 2.93±0.03 3.76±0.06 0.43±0.02
Poplar Populus ciliata 5 6.64±0.11 4.86±0.06 1.97±0.05 2.89±0.07 1.78±0.04
TP, total phenolics; TTP, total tannin phenolics; CT, condensed tannins; HT, hydrolysable tannins; NTP, non-tannin phenolics

concentration in immature kharsun (Q. semicarpifolia)
leaves (9.61 to 10.01). The immature oak leaves also
had higher HT content (5.35%) in Q. leucotricophora
and 7.24% in Q. semicarpifolia. The CT was highest in
mature banj leaves (3.11%) followed by quiral (2.93),
poplar (1.97) and kharsun (1.65) and was very low
in immature oak leaves (0.68-0.88). The chemical
constituents of unconventional feeds are generally
difficult to compare. The literature on nutrient
composition and tannin constituents of oak leaves
(Lohan et al., 1980; 1983; Makkar and Singh, 1991;
Singh et al., 1999; Sharma, 2002) and the observed
values for mature and immature oak leaves are
very much comparable. Some more literature was
available on tannin content of oak leaves outside
India (Fenny, 1970; Martin and Martin, 1983).
The literature on chemical composition of quiral
and poplar tree leaves and the grasses (bimalsiya,
kumeria and kikiyu) are inadequate for a direct
comparison. However, some other species of poplar
had CP 12-17% depending on season and variety
(Negi, 1979). Similarly, other bahuinia species had
CP higher than the present variety (12.8-15.9 vs 5.5-
5.8 %) (Pal et al., 1979).
The concentrate feeds had a variable OM
ranging from 89.6 (pelleted feed) to 97.8 (maize
flour). The CP content was low in the grain (maize
flour, 9.2) and was 22.7 in pelleted feed and 19.7
in the concentrate mixture. The fiber content
was lower (NDF, 10.7-27.7) in concentrate feeds
compared to all other feed types collected from the
field, but the pelleted feed had ADL 6.6 compared
23
to 3.4-3.8 in the other two concentrate feeds. The
maize flour contained the minimum TA (2.2)
with a very minimal AIA (0.2). Both the Ca and
P content were higher in the concentrate mixture
with a nearly optimal ratio (2:1). The pelleted feed
also had optimal Ca and P ratio but the level was
lower than concentrate mixture (0.54 vs. 1.05 for
Ca and 0.28 vs. 0.49 for P). Contrary to this, the P
content was higher than Ca in the maize flour (0.38
vs. 0.28). The chemical composition of concentrate
mixture and pelleted feed is generally dependent
on ingredient composition. However, considering
the concentration of CP, fiber constituents, ash, acid
insoluble ash, Ca and P observed in the field samples
of the pelleted feed the lignin and AIA ash content
appeared to be higher.
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